Advanced printmaking: experimentation and development

What is the course about?

This practical course is predicated on the relationship of fine art printmaking with other traditional and contemporary practices and media (eg: book forms, photography, moving image, digital). Its primary focus is on the development and discovery of working processes that support your creative aims through the expansion of your approaches to printmaking and the resulting outcomes.
Printmaking is a vital, constantly evolving medium that intersects in multiple ways with most contemporary media and practices. This course will enable you to discover ways to enrich your printmaking and take it in new directions, led by your ideas, and discovery. A small proportion of the course content may be delivered online.
Note: this course consists of 30 Thursday evenings (1800-2100) and an additional 9 Saturdays (1030-1630; 3 per term).

This course will be delivered online and in person, and will involve tutor presentation and class discussion. Student preparation and homework outside class times is strongly encouraged. To fully participate in this online class you will need:
- An email address
- A reliable internet connection
- A computer/laptop/tablet with a fully updated browser (preferably google chrome). Your device will need a microphone, and preferably a camera.

What will we cover?

A team of artist-tutors will guide you through projects exploring:
- the relationship between printmaking and other forms of art-making (digital and traditional) in experimental, creative practices;
- creative use of imaging and layout software (eg: Photoshop, Illustrator or InDesign) and their integration with manual/hand processes (eg: Silkscreen printing, relief printing, etc);
- the theoretical relationship and creative potential of combined processes within traditional and contemporary narrative forms (eg: book, moving image).
As the course progresses, you will develop a personal project which you will see through to completion and exhibition.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- complete a project proposal and a supporting artist’s statement, produce and present a body of print/media-based work, and exhibit within a group setting
- use a range of digital software/hardware in conjunction with traditional processes and develop your own creative practices to produce a body of finished work
- command greater technical and creative control over your individual art practice, across a range of media, techniques and processes
- understand in greater depth the critical and theoretical implications and potential inherent in the combination of media and processes
- take advantage of a fuller range of possibilities presented as a result of your creative exploration of technologies and media, both new and old.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

As this is an advanced course, students will be expected to be experienced in at least one of the main traditional printmaking processes (or digital printing) Experience with digital imaging or design software will be helpful but is not essential.
Skills in the following areas may also be advantageous, but are not required: photography; digital video editing; 3D modelling/animation; book/page layout software.
This course may be studied after, or at the same time as, VS986 (Advanced printmaking: practice and discourse). It is intended to help printmakers to discover and develop new possibilities through the exploration of related processes and media.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

- You will receive one-to-one and group tuition, via tutorials, assignments, practical research, and workshops.
- You will be introduced to new techniques and processes, and be given the opportunity to explore their potential within individual and collaborative work.
- You will be taught a combination of concepts and technical/practical skills in the City Lit print studio and the digital lab, and encouraged to spend some time outside class developing ideas in sketchbooks and studies.
- The course will consist of technical demonstrations, practical work, lectures and presentations, group discussion and tutor/peer feedback.
- There will be offsite visits, recommended galleries and exhibitions in London, and recommended viewing/online research, in your own time.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

If your work involves photography, you will need to use your own camera or phone (as appropriate). You may wish to work on your own laptop/tablet and software, offsite, for the digitally-focused parts of the course; we will provide computers with current software where required on-site. Basic printmaking materials are provided. If your work involves specialist materials or processes, you may need to source them for yourself, through advice/guidance from course tutors.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Suitable progression routes from this course include other advanced City Lit courses, for example: City Lit fine art (VM551/VM552/VM553); Developing art practice (VM563); Contemporary practice: personal project (VM676). Other options include application to HE courses (BA/MA) in relevant subject specialisms, or independent professional/commercial practice in fine art media.

See the links below for examples of work by students who have previously completed this course:
https://startstopstart.weebly.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmWlwRpQ308
https://ourhouseyourhouse.com
https://inkblue.glass


In addition to our expanding range of advanced long courses, you will find a range of professional practice workshops in the school of Visual Arts, aimed at providing support, skills and context, and developing communities of practice. These workshops can be taken individually, according to need or interest, or as complementary components of a modular course, which you design for yourself; either way, they are there to provide you with the skills, knowledge and connections you need to take your advanced creative practice forward.